DEFINITOR, RELIGIOUS

A religious deputed or elected to participate authoritatively in the government of a religious institute. In the history of monasticism the office of definitor originated in the 11th and 12th centuries in an effort to ameliorate the excessive authoritarianism of the Cluniac structure, and it was adopted and developed further by the mendicant orders during the 13th century.

Two types of definitor may be distinguished: capitular, or those having a voice in the affairs of a chapter, general or provincial, and who are also electors in an elective chapter (see chapters, religious); and consultive definitors, or those who pertain to the permanent council of the superior. Capitular definitors as a body, the definitorium, usually enjoy complete general or provincial authority while a chapter remains in session. Consultive definitors serve only as a consensual or advisory body to the general or provincial superior, who, according to the constitutions, must obtain their consent or advice for the validity of his administrative acts (1917 Codex iuris canonici cc.105n1, 516.1; Post Apost c.48.1). The manner of deputing or electing definitors is determined by the constitutions of an institute.

Bibliography: m. j. grajewski, The Supreme Moderator of Clerical Exempt Religious Institutes (Catholic University of America, CLS 369; Washington 1957). g. lewis, Chapters in Religious Institutes (Catholic University of America CLS 181; Washington 1943).

[w. b. ryan]